Dynamic display as Longford school Cnoc Mhuire Granard cruise into the All-Ireland senior ‘B’ final

Cnoc Mhuire Granard are through to the All-Ireland Post-Primary Schools Senior ‘B’ Football Championship Final after producing a dynamic display to dismantle Aquinas Grammar School Belfast at the excellent St Patrick’s GAA grounds in Donagh, Co Fermanagh on Saturday last.  

Cnoc Mhuire Granard . . . 1-21 Aquinas Grammar School Belfast . . . 0-7 

Powered by outstanding midfielder Odhran Madden and the razor sharp full-forward-line of Brendan Martin Burns, Cian O’Donnell and Ben Blessington, the majestic quartet clocked up 16 points between which included a total of five cracking two-pointers (1 free).

Martin Burns and Blessington were also involved in the slick move that was started and finished by Sean Fagan who blasted the ball to the back of the Belfast net midway through the first half and it was virtually all over as a contest with Cnoc Mhuire in a commanding 1-12 to 0-4 lead at the break.

Whatever hopes the outclassed Ulster champions had of staging a dramatic comeback in the second half were dashed when the Leinster champions made a strong start with three points in quick succession from Cian O’Donnell, Odhran Madden (free) and Dylan Ledwith.

The last of the Cnoc Mhuire two-pointers materialised when Ben Blessington landed a terrific strike against the wind and the opponents in the All-Ireland title decider (on Saturday week) will be St Nathy's of Ballaghaderreen (Mayo) who hammered Mount Saint Michael, Rosscarbery (Cork) by 3-18 to 0-11 in the other semi-final.

Winners of the now defunct All-Ireland Vocational Schools Senior ‘A Championship back in April 2013 after beating Holy Trinity College Cookstown (Tyrone) by a single point (2-13 to 2-12) in a thrilling final at Croke Park, Cnoc Mhuire are now just one step away from further glory on the National stage.

The current competition is integrated into the post-primary schools system and it will be a magnificent achievement should the proud north Longford school win another All-Ireland title.

Aided by the wind, Cnoc Mhuire meant business direct from the throw-in and from the moment Sean Seagan scored the only goal in the 15th minute it was clear to see that the midlanders were the superior side.

Just before the green flag was raised there were a couple of anxious moments when a flick from Aquinas attacker Padraig O’Hare drifted narrowly wide and another goal chance quickly followed for the Ulster champions when Valo Martilla had a close range shot well saved by the Cnoc Mhuire keeper Eoin O’Hara.

Brendan Martin Burns landed a delightful opening score and a further 11 points followed from Karl O’Hara, Odhan Madden (4), Cian O’Donnell (3), Martin Burns (2) and Liam Greene with the 4 two-pointers proving to be a knockout blow for Aquinas.

With talented players drawn from Longford and Cavan, there was just no stopping Cnoc Mhuire who added another 9 points to their most emphatic tally in the second half to run out very easy winners.

CNOC MHUIRE GRANARD: Eoin O’Hara (Granard); Caolain Madden (Gowna), Mel Mulligan (Abbeylara), Jacob Gaynor Brady (Granard); Karl O’Hara (Abbeylara, 0-2), Aaron Plunkett (Mullahoran), Niall O’Donnell (Granard); Dylan Ledwith (Abbeylara, 0-1), Odhran Madden (Gowna, 0-5, a brace of two-pointers free and play, 1 free); Sean Fagan (Abbeylara, 1-0), Liam Greene (Mostrim, captain, 0-1), Daniel Corr (Granard); Ben Blessington (Granard, 0-3, 1 two-pointer play), Cian O’Donnell (Granard, 0-4, 1 two-pointer play), Brendan Martin Burns (Granard, 0-4, 1 two-pointer play).

Subs:- Jake Brady (Gowna) for J Gaynor Brady (41 mins); Padraig Cahill (Mostrim) for C Madden (46 mins); Kian Lynch (Mullahoran, 0-1) for D Corr (48 mins); Dylan Corr (Gowna) for N O’Donnell (51 mins); Shane O’Hara (Granard) for K O’Hara (53 mins). 

AQUINAS GRAMMAR SCHOOL BELFAST: Cormac McGarry; Oliver Quinn, Frank Heaney, Oscar O’Connor; Conall Vaugh, Conor Frazer, Darragh McQuaid; Jacko Watson (0-1), James McEvoy; Valo Martilla, JJ Higgins (0-2, frees), Rhys Bray (0-1); Fintan McArdle (0-1), Conn Huston,  Padraig O’Hare (0-2, two-pointer). 

Subs:- Johnny Higgins for R Bray (26 mins); Jude Dixon for D McQuaid (41 mins); Shane Bell for V Martilla (41 mins); Rory McConnell for O Quinn (53 mins); Eoin Lovell for Oscar O’Connell (53 mins). 

Referee: James Lewis (Fermanagh).